Livingston cricketer Jack Jarvis has spoken of his pride after receiving a maiden call-up to the senior Scotland men’s squad.
The 19-year-old was named in Shane Burger’s squad for next week’s tour of Nepal that includes four One Day Internationals - two against the hosts and two more against Namibia - to round off their Cricket World Cup League Two fixtures.
Scotland currently sit atop the group and have already booked their place in the World Cup Qualifying tournament to be staged this summer in Zimbabwe.
The call-up is just rewards for the Grange CC all-rounder after a stellar couple of years that included shining for the Scots at the 2022 under-19 World Cup in the West Indies.
Now, he’s looking to take the next step with the national side as he eyes a senior debut in what will be head coach Burger’s last tour.
Speaking to the Courier, he said: “It was a really nice call to receive and it feels like a nice reward for all the hard work and effort over the past few years.
“I had trained a bit with the squad over the summer and that ramped up some more over the winter months so I wouldn’t necessarily say it was unexpected but until you get that first call-up you never really know if you’re part of it all or not.
“I was certainly hopeful but had no idea if I’d get the call or not.”
He added: “It’s a 14-man squad so there’s nobody there just for the experience and it’s not a tour anyone is taking lightly. All 14 players are there on merit and there’s plenty of good cricketers who didn’t make the team.
“It would be amazing to play, obviously that’s the hope and aim going into the tour, but the whole experience and being on a senior squad tour is something I’m looking forward to and hoping to learn from.
“We are top of the league and I think we’ve shown we are there on merit but it will also be four very tough games.
“There’s a real buzz about the team just now. We’ve been playing well and this is Shane’s last tour so we’re all determined to make sure he ends on a really positive note.”
The teenage ace admits his dream is to play professionally on the English County Championship circuit and has already seen some of his under-19 team-mates make the move.
He knows it’s something that will have to be earned, though, saying: “The aim is to play in the County Championship. That would be the ultimate goal.
“I’ve played Second XI a bit with Gloucestershire but I’ve got to keep performing and making steps forward in the game and hopefully that opportunity will come.
“There’s three of the team from the Scotland under-19 squad from last year’s World Cup already signed in the county game so there’d be a few familiar faces and guys I could reach out to for advice.”
While the future is bright for Jack, Livingston Cricket Club is where the journey started and will always be a special place.
Reflecting on his time at the club, he said: “I have really fond memories of my time at Livingston. That’s where I learned to play the game.
“I played for the Second XI and then the First XI, quite often alongside my dad, which are really special moments for me. It’s a club that holds a very special place in my heart.
“I’ve had so many messages from people at the club after the call-up that mean a lot to me. Since I’ve been playing at Grange I try to get back and I’ve been invited to help with some training sessions.
“It’s always nice to be back at the club and hopefully there’s some more Scotland internationals coming through just now.”
The connection and pride is mutual with the club's Head of Junior section David Vettese, telling the Courier: "Jack is a Livi boy through and through and played a major role at a young age in the team’s last promotion to the First Division.
“This was often alongside his late father Neil who must take great credit, along with his mother Karen, for Jack’s development as a cricketer and young man.
“He continues to have close associations to the current Livingston junior section having been a guest coach on special occasions as well as often asking about their achievements and victories in various cups and leagues.
“As a club, we look forward to seeing Jack make his Scotland debut and have no doubt he will be a huge success for many years to come.”
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